Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p>Water scarcity and soil degradation pose serious challenges to sustainable rice production. In this study, peels from the Mkombozi cassava variety were washed, sun-dried, milled, gelatinized, and dried to produce biodegradable hydrogel granules for evaluation as a sustainable soil amendment. Laboratory characterization revealed a mean starch content of 19.21 ± 0.03%, organic matter of 18.01 ± 0.39%, and a near-neutral pH of 6.7.The hydrogel contained macronutrients: 7.37mg/g nitrogen, 0.933mg/g phosphorus, and 10.647mg/g potassium. It exhibited a swelling capacity of 0.1375 ± 0.0012 g/g and released all absorbed water within 168 hours. A 30-day soil burial test demonstrated 82.5% weight loss. These results suggest that the cassava peel-derived hydrogel functions as a slow-release matrix for moisture and nutrients, establishing a scientific baseline for further field evaluation.</p>